Please help me, I tried doing a search and saw some interesting things, but nothing which applied to this.

Yesterday started having problems with the clutch in my '04 RX8. Sometimes it wouldn't let me shift into certain gears, specifically third or reverse. Sometimes when I got into second or even first, it wouldn't let me out of gear, even with the clutch pressed all the way down.

Pedal itself is far more loose than a couple days ago, but there is still pressure towards the bottom. No fluid can been seen leaking from anywhere. Long story short, towed to dealer.

Today dealer says they found that the "bracket which secures the clutch pedal assembly is broken" ("Pushed over to the side" he says). I asked if he had ever seen this before, he replied no. I asked how it could happen, and he indicated it would take an amount of force I have never exerted on my pedal. He says the part and labor will be $361 USD plus tax and delivery, but he cannot guarantee this will solve the entire problem, it will only allow him to determine if other work is needed.

Has anyone heard of this bracket? Does this sound legitimate?

Any help is much appreciated.

Taylor

 

And by the way, he says this is not covered under warranty.

I just don't understand how this could have broken. He said it is a solid metal piece.

 

If your car is within warranty it should be covered. You need to understand that dealers do get paid by Mazda for warranty work but it is not as mush as if you paid. For ex.. they may get $200 from Mazda for the work but if they charge the customer they get $360. Some not so nice dealers would try to con you into thinking it's not covered, press the issue and ask to speak to a regional rep, that will show them that you can't be conned. Go get em.

 

My car IS under warranty until 8/31/07 or 50,000 miles, im only at 33349, so we're fine there. Thomas at the Dealership says this part is not covered under warranty. What is the best way to "press the issue". They say Mazda will not pay for it. I asked for a regional rep and was told I would get a call back.

 

Mine broke also. It was covered under warranty. Check out this thread - https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/aftermarket-clutch-bracket-assembly-107803/

$360 is rediculous. If they refuse to cover it under warranty just order a new bracket from a vendor on this site and install it yourself.

 

Man, you guys are my saviors!!!! I called another dealership just to ask about this part, and it definitely sounds like it should be covered.

I don't know if I could install it myself, but where is a good source to look at prices for the part online?


Thank you so much for your quick answers.

Taylor

 

Sorry, dumb question about the price...."just order a new bracket from a vendor on this site ". My bad.

But just talked to a different dealership and they indicated that because of owner negligence, or aggressive use, it might not be covered under warranty.

I drive fast, yes, but I do not slam on my clutch, or release it fast at all. I really don't think this could have happened as a result of me, the driver, at 33349 miles???? no wayyyyyyyy

 

That should always be covered under warranty. I don't see any aggressive foot causing that to happy. I have known several people who have had to replace their clutch assemblies, on several cars.

 

Awesome, thank you!

Now I need to understand how I can get the dealer to handle this accordingly. They keep trying to say it's not covered, or it's my fault. I am so glad I posted here.

When I asked for the number for a regional rep, they gave me 800-222-5000, the recording says Autoclub, and it won't accept my zipcode or any zipcode nearby me as valid. You can't get past the zipcode part.

 

Yesss!!!

Just spoke to the dealership, they said they will cover it under warranty. He said he's doing it "good-will" because he wants my future business. Such a load. He's just trying to cover his tracks. When he first diagnosed it, he said there is no way Mazda will pay. After a little haggling, and calling Mazda and verifying that it IS UNDER WARRARNTY unless they can PROVE it was owner negligence, he had to take me a little more seriously.

Should be back in my 8 tomorrow morning.

I owe you guys one!!!

Taylor

 

Congrats. It's unfortunate, but sometimes it takes an informed customer to persuade dealers to cover what should obviously be warrantied.

If you ever wind up replacing your pressure plate with something stronger or just don't trust your new bracket to hold steady, keep an eye on CharlesRHill. He has plans for an improved bracket in the works.

 

r-enzyme, So why did you reward the flaky dealer with your patronage? Even if they only get compensated at warranty rates, the better dealers, at least, know that is their bread and butter, so won't hesitate to take the work. Rather than screwing around with customers trying to trick them into paying "standard" labor rates (not to mention being blatently dishonest), good dealers will welcome the work, if only to keep their service mechanic's schedules filled out. I'd drive 100 miles out of my way to avoid those jokers!

 

the Clutch Bracket is a *well known* weak part of the car. the weld (and metal) is simply too thin.

It Should be covered under warranty.

 

As long as you're running a stock clutch, it is impossible for the driver to exert too much force on the pedal. The resistance is determined by the clutch, not the driver.

 

note to self: check these when I get home.
They might be the source of some grinding issues I'm experiencing...

 

I think theres *quite* alot of people with broken bracket running stock clutch.

 

Some dealerships may think this falls under wear items clause in the warranty because it controls the clutch which is a wear item like brakes.

If it is defective the dealer should cover it. If it is caused by normal wear then it is not required to be covered.

I just went out and checked mine is still in good shape but I can see the consern with this. Interested in Charles solution.

 

What I meant was, it is not the driver's fault. Their dealer claiming that aggressive driving caused the problem, but this is impossible. The amount of force the pedal assembly experiences depends on the clutch, and there's no kind of "aggressive driving" that changes the force on the pedal. Driver pushes and the pedal gives -- based on the spring. So any premature failure of the pedal, involving stock clutch, is entirely a design or manufacture defect. They did not make the pedal strong enough to withstand the clutch.

 

#$^*(%#^&$#&@$# dealers ...

 

Mine just broke, stopped in dealership, Service writer ordered without a tech even looking at it, covered without a question.

 

Which dealer did you go to???

 

Paul Miller

 

There are a couple of us with RX-8s registered. Any chance your bracket will be ready by July? Also, my plastic dead pedal broke. Any chance of making one out of metal? It looks like the footrest mount is plastic, with a metal face. Maybe redo the mounting in a "strut" configuration and bolt the OEM metal plate to it?

 

My car spun out in the rain and went over a low curb. That must have weakened the dead pedal, as I was braced against it. A few weeks later, I was in the middle of a hard left corner and the pedal gave way, completely, causing a spin out. When I tried to get started again, I found the pedal lodged under both the clutch and brake pedals. Very dangerous, as the only thing that saved me was the car stalling, due to the fairly low speed and the broken pedal preventing me from declutching. Even if you've never placed a lot of stress on the part, you might want to replace it with something made of metal. The OEM replacement part was about $130, so any aftermarket, well engineered metal replacement should get a number of buyers.

Anyway, how is work on the clutch pedal bracket going?

Best regards, Gary

 

gary,

this is the second one that has made it here... 130 bucks???? it is just plastic...

you might want to start a new thread about this..

beers